Automatic valve



y 9 M. H. ACKERMAN 1,315,538

AUTOMATIC VALVE Filed Aug. 2, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 EL MHfldZkPr/zan mm July 21, 1931. M. H. ACKERMAN 1,815,538.

AUTOMATIC VALVE Filed Aug. 2. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 21, 1931. M. H. ACKERMAN AUTOMATIC. VALVE Filed Aug. 2, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 YP. a .I.

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Patented July 21, 1931 MICHAEL HENRY ACKERMAN, F MANSFIEED, 023110, A$SIGNQR 0F GIVE-HALE TO LGUIS C. SICKEL, G1 CALEDONIA, OHIO AUTGYZATIC "VALVE Application filer]. August 53,

This invention relates to automatic valves whereby pressure of one i'luid can be utilized for controlling the flow 0;? another fluid. Valves of this kind are used in various arts end more especially in the art of retrigerntion. Heretofore it has been the practice to utilize for the purpose stated a valve having a single diaphragm the operation or which is water valves such as used in inachines of the refrigerating type, require considerable rise in pressure before opening and they then remain open until it considen able fall oi condensing pressure occurs wlter the compressor stops running. This wide range of pressure necessary to completely open and close the valve tends to waste water and frequently, where there is a slow fall condensing pressure after the operation of the mechanism has stopped, the pressure con trolled weter valve will become hung at a neutral oint and will allow water to flow unrestrained for a long period and eventually cut the valve seat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic valve which eliminates the objectionable features enumerated.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed it being'underst'ood that changes in the precise embodiment or" the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preilhfiitl. Serial H0. 297L957.

ferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic valve constituting the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1, the valve being shown in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showng the valve opened.

Figure l is a top plan view, the supporting standard of the circuit breaker being shown section.

igure 5 is a view similar'to Figure 2 showa modified form oi valve.

ferrin to the figures by characters of reference designates the lower section of the valve casing provided with a water inlet 2 and a. water outlet 3. The inlet 2 opens into a water chamber 4- and extending from this water chamber through the bottom of the section 1 is a bore m or counterbored as shown at 6, the said counterb-ore extending from the lower end to a. point near the upper end of the bore where shoulder If is formed. The water outlet extends from the counterbore and said counterbore has its wall screw threaded as shown.

A tubular valve seat member 8 is fitted snugly in inner end of the bore 5 and projects into the water chamber i, there being an annular flange 9 at the lower end of the valve seat member which bearsagainst the shoulder and is held thereto by a screw threaded dish 10 having an opening 11 therethrough. A screw plug 12 closes the lower orouter end of the counterbore and has a recess 13 in which is seated one end of a coiled spring 14. The other end of this spring bears against the stem 15 of the water valve 16 and acts to unseat said valve when it is relieved from pressure toward its seat.

The water chamber 4 is bridged by :1 diaphragm 1'? which is supported on the lower section 1 and held thereto by the intermediate section 18 of the valve casing. mediate section is in the form of a ring having a concentric opening 19, there being a continuous inwardly extending flange 20 within the lower portion of the opening 19 the inner edge of which alines with the wall of the water chamber 4:. The diameter of the his bore is enlarged lhis inter-.

. of a recess 31 formed in the bottom section upper portion of the opening 19 is much greater than that of the water chamber 4. A second diaphragm 21 bridges the opening 19 and extending over this diaphragm is the upper section 22 of the valve casing. This upper section only contacts with the diaphragm' 21 at points between the periphery thereof and the wall of the opening 19. At other points the section 22 is spaced from the diaphragm. As shown in Figure 2 the lower surface of the section 22 can be concaved as indicated at 23, this concaved portion being located directly over opening 19.

The three sections 1, 18, and 22 of the valve casing are held together by bolts 24 which serve to bind them together tightly. Thus there will be no leakage of water between the parts. The space formed between the upper diaphragm 21 and the concaved surface 23 of the upper section 22, constitutes a water chamber 25 into which opens a water assage 26 which extends from the inlet 2.

his water passage. has a restricted inlet27 and, if desired, a small length of pipe 28 can be extended from the restricted portion 27 to that portion. of the passage 26 in the section 22 thereby to further insure against leakage. This pipe section, however, is not essential.

Another waterpassage 29 extends from the water chamber 25 and opens downwardly through the intermediate section. 18 of the casing where a valve seat 30 is provided This valve seat is located at the upper-end 1 of the casing and a restricted opening 32 extends from said recess to the outlet 3. A spring 33 is arranged in "the recess 31 and thrusts upwardly against a valve 34 for the purpose of holding it normally against the seat 30. This-valve has a stem 35 extending upwardly through the sections 18 and 22 and is suitably packed to prevent leakage although free to reciprocate. I

A pressure distributing disk 36 is carried by the valve 16 and bears against diaphragm 17, this disk having its upper surface convex and being of a diameter almost equal to the internal diameter of the chamber 4. Another pressure distributing disk 37 is interposed between the two diaphragms 17 and 21 and has its lower diaphragm engaging surface convex while its upper diaphragm engaging surface is also convex. The peripheral portion of this disk 37 is reduced so as to overhang the flange 20.

The upper surface of the section 22is concaved as indicated at 38 and extending over 'this concaved portion is a diaphragm 39 the marginal portion of which is clamped to the section 22 by the marginal portion of a cap 40. The lower or inner surface of the cap is also concaved and mounted for sliding movement' in the cap is a pin 41 which bears at its inner end upon the reinforced center of the diaphragm 39. A passage 42 is formed in the section 22 and is connected to the ammonia line of the apparatus.

A small standard 43 is arranged on the cap 40 and supports a high. pressure circuit breaker indicated generally at 44, this breaker including a latch 45 adapted to be actuated automatically. head of a lever 46 fulcrumed on the standard 43, that end of the lever remote from the latch being engaged by a pin 47 extending upwardly from another lever 48 fulcrumed on the standard. One arm of lever 48 loosely engages the stem 35 of valve 34, there being nuts 49 on said stem above and below the lever to insure operation of the parts together.

-Astem 50 extends from the section 22 through one arm of lever 48 and has a coiled spring 51 thereon which bears downwardly against said lever. A finger 52 extends from the lever and is adapted to move against the section 22 to limit the movement of lever 48 in one direction.

It might be stated that the ammonia diaphragm 39 is of the conventional steel type and actuates lever 48 through the pin 41 thereby tomultiply the travel of the release valve 34. In other words a very slight movement of the diaphragm 38 will cause the relief valve 34 to move a considerable distance relative to its seat.

It will be noted that the outlet 32 from the relief valve .is much larger than the restricted portion 27. Thus water can pass more freely from the. passage 29 into the outlet 3 than it can flow from the inlet 2 through the restriction 27. Y

The diaphragm 17 has a working area which is approximately one-third smaller than the working area of the diaphragm 21. A liquid, such as water, entering the inlet 2 exerts an upward pressure within the chamber 4 against the diaphragm 17 but as thisliquid also flows through the restriction 27 into the water chamber 25, a downward pressure will be exerted on the upper diaphragm 21. As long as the ammonia pres sureunder the diaphragm 39 is insufficient This latch engages the i to overcome the resistance of spring 51, as

applied through lever 48 and pin 41, the

valve 34 will remain closed, the ressure up- Wardly against the diaphragm 1 and downwardly against the diaphragm 21 acting to 1 c we narrates the chamber 4 will be maintained at its maximum. This will result in the upward movement of diaphragm l7 and the opening of valve 16. Consequently liquid can flow readily from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 past the valve 16.

The closing operation of the valve will occur with a slight fall of pressure under the ammonia diaphragm 89. This movement will result in the closing of valve Set and the prompt accumulation of pressure in the chamber which will overcome the pressure against the diaphragm l7 and result in the seating of valve 34,

It will be understood that the regulation of the valve can be made very minute by reducing the restriction 27, it being understood that the smaller this restriction, the less movement is required of the valve 3a to cause the complete opening or closing of the valve 16.

It has been found in practice that a pressure variation of from one to two pounds will completely open or completely close the valve 16.

Although the valve heretofore described utilizes two diaphragms it is to be understood that under some conditions a single diaphragm might be employed, A device enibodying this structure has been illustrated in Figure 5. ln this structure the valve casing is formed of a lower section 53 and an upper section 54.- with diaphragm gripped therebetween. A recess 56 can be formed within the upper or inner surface of section 53 in which is movably seated a pressure distributing dish 5? having a stem 58 slidable in the section 53 and connected to the stem 59 of the water valve 6% This valve corre sponds with valve 16 and is interposed between the inlet or and the outlet 62 of the valve casing 63 The lower or inner surface of sectio, lidis concave as shown at 84 and opening througl'i this concave surface is a passage to extending from a pipe connection 66 from the inlet 61, this connection having a restriction similar to the restriction 27. Another passage 37 opens through the concave surface it and communicates through a pipe connection 68 with the outlet 62. A valve 69, similar to the valve 34 is ada ted to close against a seat 76 against which it is normally held by action of a spring C 1.

The stem 72 of valve so is connected to a lever '73 one arm of which bears against a pin 74: extending from a disk 75 or the like which is seated in a recess 76 formed in the inner surface of a cap "Z7. This cap is suitably fastened to the section 54 and serves to bind on the peripheral portion of a diaphragm 7'8 corresponding with the diaphragm 39 and adapted to receive ammonia pressure from a passage 9. Lever 7 3 is held normally in one positlon by a spring 80 mounted on a pin 81 extending loosely through one arm of the lever and similar to the pin 50. p

The operation of this modified form of valve is similar to that heretofore described with the exception that instead of utilizing two diaphragms 17 and 21 of different active areas, a single diaphragm is employed. As long as pressures within the valve are normal or substantially normal, the valve will be maintained substantially in the position shown in Figure 5, the slight flow through the bypass formed by the tubular connections 66 and 68 and the passages and 67, passing over the diaphragm 55 and past the open valve 69. When, however, the anunonia pressure becomes reduced the spring 80 will thrust lever 73 away from its normal position, because of weakened resistance by diaphragm '78, and valve 69 will thus close. Consequently water pressure will be built up between diaphragm 55 and the concave surface 6 with the result that valve 60 will be closed.

T he high pressure circuit breaker referred to heretofore and indicated at tis of a standard type and can be used in connection with lever To. if preferred, however, an automatic circuit breaker can be substituted therefor in both structures illustrated although it has been disclosed in Figure 5 only. This automatic circuit breaker in- -cludes a housing 82 mounted on the cap 7? and h 'ng a lever 83 one end or" which prooe housing end is connected by 1. ger 85 extending from lever near u stem 72. The inner is connected by linlrs 86 to 7 or the like which point end lever 83 one of the bearing studs 8 extend from th middle portion of a tube 88 formed pref oly This tube is provided one end with a mercury well 89 and near its center with another inercury well '99, both wells extending downwardly from the tube. Leads 91 extending to motor of refrigeration apparatus or the lilre are connected to the respective wells and form contacts with the mercury contained within the wells. A body of mercury indicated at 92 is provided within the tube 88 and is of such volume that when the tube is tilted to one extreme position, by water failure or abnormally high pressure as when valve 69 is completely open, there is no electrical connection between the mercury contained within the two wells. Consequently the circuit to the motor is broken. When, however, pressure is reduced on diaphragm T8, to normal operating pressure, the valve '69 is closed through the actuation of lever 73 by spring 80, tube 88 is shifted toward its other extreme position so that the mercury therein will complete an electrical connection between the mercury in the two wells and, consequently, will complete an electrical connection to the motor at normal pressures.

" to shortage of water and consequent increase of gas pressure. and breaking of the circuit will automatically start the compressor when condensing pressures return to normal, avoiding temperature rises in the spaces to be cooled, as high pressure stoppages frequently occur at night or on holidays when no attendant is presentto reset the manual control start on a simple high pressure stop circuit breaker.

As heretofore explained the mechanism described is designed primarily for use in connection with refrigerating systems utilizing ammonia but it is to be understood that the same will be found useful in various mechanisms where variations of pressure are utilized for controlling the actuation of a valve. Obviously the controlled fluid can be gas, water, or anything else, depending upon the nature of the apparatus with which the valve is used. g

What is claimed is: l

1. A pressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and outlet, a diaphragm for receivlng pressure from the inlet, a second diaphragm having a larger active area than the first named diaphragm, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure on to. the second diaphragm, means for transmitting motion from one diaphragm to the other, and pressure operated mechanism for controlling pressure over the second diaphragm.

2. A pressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluidoutlet, a valve for closing communication be:

tweenthe inlet and outlet, a diaphragm for receiving pressure from the inlet, a second diaphragm having a larger'active area than the first named dlaphragm, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure onto the second diaphragm, a valve for closing the outlet of the by-pass, said outlet being larger than the inlet of the by-pass, and pressure operated mechanism for shifting the by-pass valve to control the pressure over the second diaphragm.

3. An automatic valve including a casing,

superposed diaphragms therein of different active areas, there being a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in the casing, a valve for controll ing the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, a diaphragm of smallest area bein adapted to receive pressure of fluid from t e inlet, means for transmitting motion from one diaphragm to the other, a by-pass extending rom the inlet to the outlet fordirecting fluid under pressure on to the diaphragm of larger This mechanical making area, and an automatically actuated valve for controllin the flow of fluid through the by-pass, there%y to vary the pressure onpthe dlaphragm.

4. An automatic valve including a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve therein for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure from the inlet to the outlet, spaced diaphragms having active areas of difierent sizes respectively, means for transmitting motion between the valve and the smaller diaphragm, means for transmitting motion between the diaphragms, a by-pass extending fromthe inlet to the outlet for directing fluid under pressure against the larger diaphragm, and an automatically controlled valve for regulating the flow of fluidthrough the by-pass.

5. An automatic valve including a caslng having an inlet and an outlet, a valve therein for controlling the flow or fluid under pressure from the inlet to the outlet, pfpaced diaphragms having active areas of di erent sizes respectively, means for transmitting motior between the valve and the smaller diaphragm, means for transmitting motion between the diaphragms, a by-pass extending from the inlet to the outlet for directing fluid under pressure against the larger diaphragm, a third diaphragm for actuation by fluid separate from that flowing to the inlet and outlet of the casing, a valve normally closing the outlet end of the by-pass, and means actuated by variations in pressures against the last named diaphragm for actuating the valve to regulate the pressures on the first named diaphragms. I

6.-An automatic valve including a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve normally closing communication between the inlet and the outlet, separate dia'phragms having active areas of diflerent sizes respectively, a means for transmitting thrust between the smaller diaphragm and the valve thereby to hold said valve normally upon its seat, a byass extending from the inlet to the outlet tor directin ressure on to the larger diaphragm, said i? -pass having a restricted inlet end, a valve normally closing the outlet portion ofthe by-pass, and pressure operated means for shifting said valve to vary the pressure upon the larger diaphrag, thereby to control the position of the rst named valve relative to its seat.

7. An automatic valve of the class described including a casing having an inlet and an outlet and a valve normally closing communication between said inlet and outlet,

spaced diaphragms having active areas of the pressure from the other diaphragm, thereby to maintain the valve closed, a valve normally closing the by-pass, another diaphragm for actuation by fluid pressure, and means actuated by the last named di'aphra for shifting the valve in the by-pass there y to vary the pressure on one side of the first named diaphragm and to control the position of the first named valve relative to its seat.

8. The combination with a valve casing having an inlet and an outlet for fluid in one pressure line and an inlet for fluid in another pressure line, of a diaphragm for actuation by pressure from the last named inlet,

a valve for controlling communication between the first named inlet and outlet, spaced diaphragms having active portions of different areas respectively, means for transmitting thrust between the last named diaphragms, means for transmitting thr-ust'between the diaphragm of the smallest area and the-valve between the inlet and outlet, a bypass extending from the inlet to the outlet for directing fluid under pressure on to the diaphragm having the largest active area,

a valve for closing the outlet of the by-pass, and means actuated by the first named diaphragm for shifting said valve thereby to control pressure on the adjacent diaphragm. 9. A ressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and outlet, a diaphragm subject to the action of pressure from the inlet, means for transmitting motion between the diaphragm and the valve, and means for directing pressure to the diaphragm, said means including aby-passfrom theinlettothe outlet and pressure-operated mechanism for controlling pressure upon said diaphragm.

10. A ressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and outlet, a diaphragm subject to the action of pressure from the inlet, means for transmitting motionbetween the diaphragm and the valve, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure to the diaphragm, and an automatically actuated fluid controlling valve in the by-pass.

11. A pressure controlling valve includingacasinghavingafluidinlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and the outlet, a diaphragm subject to the action of pressure from the inlet, means for transmitting motion between the diaphragm and the valve, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet, another diaphragm for actuation b fluid separate from that flowin to the 1nlet andoutlet of the casing, a va ve normally closing the outlet end of the by-pass, and means actuated by variations in pressures against the last-named diaphragm for actuating the valve to regulate the pressures on the first named diaphragm.

12. A pressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and the outlet, a diaphragm subject to the action of pressure from the inlet, means for transmitting motion between the diaphragm and the valve, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure to the diaphragm, another diaphragm for actuation by fluid separate from that flowing to the inlet and outlet of the casing, a valve from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure to the pressure receiving means, and pressure operated mechanism for controlling pressure upon said pressure receiving means.

14. A pressure controlling valve including a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve for closing communication between the inlet and outlet, means subject to the action of pressure from the inlet, means for transmitting motion between the pressure receiving means and the valve, a by-pass from the inlet to the outlet for directing pressure to the pressure receiving means, pressure operated mechanism for controlling pressure upon said pressure receiving means, and a circuit controlling mechanism operatively connected to and controlled by the pressure operated mechanism.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

MICHAEL l-IENRY ACKERMAN. 

